Two men rescued after being stranded on Texas tilt coaster for about 36 minutes
Riders on Circuit Breakers at Circuit of the Americas were stuck at a 90-degree tilt after a sensor-triggered delay; responders retrieved them as safety checks continued
Two riders were left dangling about 130 feet above the ground on a new tilt roller coaster at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin for about 36 minutes after the ride stalled at the first drop, authorities said.
The riders were identified as Matthew Cantu, 24, and Nicholas Sanchez, 20, who were on the Circuit Breakers ride when the track climbed to 130 feet and halted, leaving them staring straight down at the ground, their publicist told KXAN.
First responders arrived about 10 minutes after a relative called 911, and the riders were lowered to safety.
Cantu told KXAN that he felt lightheaded and had symptoms consistent with blood pooling, while Sanchez reported numbness in his upper leg, according to the publicist.
The park's spokesperson said the delay was triggered by a sensor on the ride; "A sensor triggered a ride delay," the representative told Fox News Digital. "It was resolved, and the ride proceeded without incident. As with all amusement attractions of this sort, delays occasionally occur." The statement noted that, of about 25,000 riders, only two have endured such an episode.
Circuit Breakers, billed as the first tilt coaster in Texas, opened for preview rides in October ahead of its grand debut next year, the park has said.
In Cedar Point, Ohio, another tilt roller coaster called Siren's Curse has repeatedly malfunctioned since opening in late June, including a power outage that halted the ride on its first day of operation.
The incident remains under review by the park and local authorities.